Abstract: The invention relates to a method for handling and modernizing ropes in an elevator, which elevator comprises at least an elevator car arranged to run in an elevator shaft along the guide rails, a counterweight connected to the elevator car with hoisting ropes from above, a hoisting machinery with a traction sheave above the elevator car, and compensating ropes connected between the elevator car and the counterweight through a compensating mechanism at a lower part of the elevator shaft. The old hoisting ropes and compensating ropes are dismantled when the elevator car has been run to the upper part of the elevator shaft without a risk of losing the friction on the traction sheave.

Abstract: The invention refers to a passenger conveyor system comprising a longitudinal conveyor frame having at its longitudinal ends mounting points, a conveyor unit mounted to the conveyor frame and comprising an endless conveyor means comprising an upper conveyor track and a lower return track and turnover means at the conveyor unit ends to turn the conveyor means from the conveyor track to the return track and vice versa, and at least one compensation means comprising a compensation mass which is in transversal direction of the conveyor frame movably mounted to the conveyor frame via a spring means or a swing drive.

Abstract: A trench roller lifting adapter is for inserting/removing a trench roller into/from a trench absent intervention with the trench roller within the trench by a worker and saves time required for compacting dirt in the trench. The adapter has an upper portion configured for interaction with a hook attached to a cable dangling from a crane, excavator, tractor, or other type of construction equipment used to insert/remove the trench roller into/from a trench. The upper portion has a front portion and an opposed back portion with a pin and gap extending therebetween. Each of the front and back portions include respective guide members adapted for guiding the hook toward and into engagement with the pin. The adapter also has a lower portion depending from the upper portion that is configured for secure coupling to the trench roller to be moved into or out of the trench.

Abstract: A hoisting rope arrangement in a trolley moving along a main girder of a crane and driven by an outside mechanism is provided. Both sides of the trolley are provided with successive rope pulley pairs located at a distance from one another in a longitudinal direction of the trolley and, below these, sheaves situated in a hoisting member, whereby on both sides of the trolley, a first hoisting rope is led from a first end of the main girder of the crane via one rope pulley of a first rope pulley pair down to the sheave and therefrom via an other rope pulley to a second end of the main girder, and a second hoisting rope is led from the second end of the main girder via one rope pulley of a second rope pulley pair down to the sheave and therefrom via an other rope pulley to the first end of the main girder.

Abstract: A winch system includes a truck that has a bed and the bed has a pair of spaced lateral walls. A winching unit is coupled to the truck. The winching unit includes a bar that has a telescopically adjustable length and the bar extends between the spaced lateral walls. The winching unit may be coupled to an object. Thus, the winching unit may urge the object into the bed thereby facilitating the truck to transport the object.

Abstract: A small vehicle adjustable lift in one embodiment includes at least one horizontally extending base support, a first riser support including a first end portion supported by the at least one horizontal base support, and a second end portion vertically movable with respect to the at least one horizontally extending base support, a second riser support including a third end portion supported by the at least one horizontal base support, and a fourth end portion vertically movable with respect to the at least one horizontally extending base support, a first vehicle support supported by the second end portion and vertically adjustable with respect to the second end portion, and a second vehicle support supported by the fourth end portion and vertically adjustable with respect to the fourth end portion.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for operating a storage and retrieval unit (3) are specified. A rail line (1) respectively a power supply rail (6) for the storage and retrieval unit (3) is set to a risk mode voltage, the rectified value/effective value of which lies below a minimum rectified value/minimum effective value necessary to move the storage and retrieval unit (3) but above zero, if a risk posed by the storage and retrieval unit (3) is detected. Alternatively or in addition, the voltage applied to the rail line (1)/power supply rail (6) can also be investigated in the storage and retrieval unit (3) for modulated change signals. The applied voltage is passed on to a traction motor (5) of the storage and retrieval unit (3) only when it has been established that the normal operation-traction voltage and not the risk mode voltage has been applied to the rail line (1)/power supply rail (6).

Abstract: A tool coupler for use in coupling a tool to a machine may have a frame with a first end receivable within the tool and a second end located opposite the first end. The tool coupler may also have a hydraulic cylinder pinned to the second end of the frame, and a wedge member pivotally connected to the hydraulic cylinder and configured to pass through the second end of the frame and selectively engage the tool. Engagement of the wedge member with the tool may inhibit disconnect of the first end of the frame from the tool.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic system having a hydraulic lift function and an auxiliary function includes disabling the hydraulic lift function and the auxiliary function by routing pump flow to tank and opening the lift function and auxiliary function to tank with a single valve; enabling the lift function by closing pump flow to the auxiliary function and routing pump flow to the lift function with the single valve; and enabling the auxiliary function by closing pump flow to the lift function and routing pump flow to the auxiliary function with the single valve.

Abstract: A pothole protection assembly is cooperable with a support base of a scissor lift. The support base includes front wheels, rear wheels and a chassis. The pothole protection assembly includes a pair of front pothole bars fixed to the chassis and each positioned adjacent the front wheels, respectively, and a pair of rear pothole bars fixed to the chassis and each positioned adjacent the rear wheels, respectively. A space between the front wheels and the rear wheels defines a ground clearance zone, where the front pothole bars and the rear pothole bars are disposed at opposing ends of the ground clearance zone. The assembly is constructed and arranged to maximize a breakover angle in a scissor lift with fixed pothole protection.

Abstract: A work platform includes a floor structure having a width dimension and a depth dimension and a safety rail coupled with the floor structure. A control panel area is cooperable with the safety rail and includes a sensor support bar having a top cross bar extending along the width dimension and side bars extending substantially perpendicularly from the top cross bar. Each of the side bars includes an upper section extending from the top cross bar inward in the depth dimension to a bent section, and a lower section extending from the bent section outward in the depth dimension to the safety rail. A platform switch that is configured to trip upon an application of a predetermined force may be attached to the sensor support bar. A switch bar may be secured to the control panel area, and the platform switch may be attached to the switch bar.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus (1), using a sterilizing substance, for closures (2) for containers, including: a rotating unit (6); a plurality of longitudinal rails (7) able to house the closures (2) arranged by force of gravity, the rails (7) being solidly connected to the rotating unit (6) and being arranged such as to follow a circumferential extension of the rotating unit (6); dispensing apparatus (16) of the sterilizing substance, a variable-height support profile (15) located below the rails (7) and also having a circumferential extension such as to support the lines (8) of closures (2).

Abstract: A filling element includes a flushing tube that carries flushing gas used to drive air out of a container's interior before filling it with liquid filling-material. The flushing tube moves between a starting position and a flushing position. In the flushing position, the flushing tube chokes a connection between a gas chamber and a gas channel that leads into a container. In the starting position, this connection is wide open.

Abstract: A filling machine includes a rotor and a rotor mounting. The rotor mounting is formed by a rotary feed that also mounts the rotor to the machine frame.

Abstract: The bottle transfer coupling device is adapted for use with a plurality of containers. The bottle transfer coupling device is a device that transfers the contents of a first container selected from the plurality of containers to a second container selected from the plurality of containers. The bottle transfer coupling device transports the contents of the first selected container to the second selected container using a sealed transport mechanism that minimizes the loss of the contents of the first container or the second container during the transfer process. The bottle transfer coupling device comprises a first funnel, a second funnel, and a coupling pipe. The coupling pipe attaches the first funnel to the second funnel to create a fluid bearing channel between the first funnel and the second funnel such that fluids from the first container will be transported to the second container.

Abstract: The present application describes a product dispenser, such as a beverage dispenser. The product dispenser may include a nozzle, a first pump in fluid communication with a beverage base source and the nozzle, a second pump in fluid communication with a flavoring source and the nozzle, and a user interface for receiving a request for a beverage. The user interface may include a product button that represents a beverage base, and an additive button that represents a flavor, wherein in response to a first selection of the product button and a second selection of the additive button, the user interface may be adapted to instruct a dispense of the beverage base and the flavor to the nozzle at a given flow rate.

Abstract: A device (10) for transferring a liquid from a can to a tank in a sealed manner, the device including a drawing end-piece which comprises a main sleeve designed to be connected on the neck of the can in a sealed manner, a drawing pipe which presents a first end connected on the drawing end-piece and a second end adapted to be connected on the tank in order to enable the drawing of the liquid from the can to the tank, and a rinsing pipe which presents a first end connected on the drawing end-piece and a second end adapted to be connected on a supply source of a rinsing fluid, in order to inject said rinsing fluid in the can, where the drawing end-piece includes a rinsing hose which is connected on the first end of the rinsing pipe and which is slidably mounted axially along the drawing axis in order to rinse the inner walls of the can.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method for reducing the likelihood that a fuel tank of equipment at a well site during fracturing of a well will run out of fuel. A fuel source has plural fuel outlets, a hose on each fuel outlet of the plural fuel outlets, each hose being connected to a fuel cap on a respective one of the fuel tanks for delivery of fuel to the fuel tank. At least a manually controlled valve at each fuel outlet controls fluid flow through the hose at the respective fuel outlet.

Abstract: A portable storage device to contain fuel. The device is designed to be relatively light-weight to allow for movement around a fueling facility, and to be delivered to the fueling facility through the air. The device includes a number of separate tanks each configured to contain fuel. A suspension protects the tanks by absorbing external forces that could occur in the event the device is dropped during air delivery.

Abstract: In described examples, a method of forming a microelectromechanical device comprises: forming a first metallic layer comprising a conducting layer on a substrate; forming a first dielectric layer on the first metallic layer, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises one or more individual dielectric layers; forming a sacrificial layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the sacrificial layer; forming a second metallic layer on the second dielectric layer; and removing the sacrificial layer to form a spacing between the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer. Removing the sacrificial layer enables movement of the second dielectric layer relative to the first dielectric layer in at least one direction.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a MEMS DVC. The MEMS DVC has an RF electrode and is formed above a CMOS substrate. To reduce noise in the RF signal, a poly-resistor that is connected between a waveform controller and the electrodes of the MEMS element, may be surrounded by an isolated p-well or an isolated n-well. The isolated well is coupled to an RF ground shield that is disposed between the poly-resistor and the MEMS element. Due to the presence of the isolated well that surrounds the poly-resistor, the substrate resistance does not influence the dynamic behavior of each MEMS element in the MEMS DVC and noise in the RF signal is reduced.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a MEMS device structure are provided. The MEMS device structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, and a MEMS layer over the semiconductor substrate. The MEMS layer has a first through hole positioned in the first region and a second through hole positioned in the second region. The MEMS device structure also includes a cap layer over the MEMS layer, a first cavity between the semiconductor substrate and the cap layer and in the first region, and a second cavity between the semiconductor substrate and the cap layer and in the second region. The MEMS device structure further includes a carbon-based degradation product in the first cavity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component is provided including a substrate and including a cap, which is connected to the substrate and, together with the substrate, encloses a first cavity, a first pressure prevailing and a first gas mixture having a first chemical composition being enclosed in the first cavity, the cap together with the substrate enclosing a second cavity, a second pressure prevailing and a second gas mixture having a second chemical composition being enclosed in the second cavity. A recess situated essentially between the first cavity and the second cavity is formed for diverting at least one first particle type of the first gas mixture and/or at least one second particle type of the second gas mixture.

Abstract: A capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (cMUT) is provided. The cMUT has a first layer having a first electrode and a second layer having a second electrode opposing the first electrode to define a gap width therebetween. At least one of the first layer and the second layer includes a flexible layer having a contact area in contact to a support, such that the first electrode and the second electrode are movable relative to each other to cause a change of the gap width. The support has two substantially continuous shoulder sides each extending along with the flexible layer, each shoulder side making graduated contact with more contact area of the flexible layer as the flexible layer deforms toward the shoulder side, causing the flexible layer to have a dynamically changing spring strength.

Abstract: A method of removing a reinforcement ring from a wafer is described. The method includes forming a ring-shaped recess in a first surface of the wafer and separating the reinforcement ring from an inner region of the wafer along the ring-shaped recess.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a mechanism for testing a MEMS hysteresis. A power management circuit may be coupled to the electrodes that cause the movable plate that is disposed between the electrodes in a MEMS device to move. The power management circuit may utilize a charge pump, a comparator and a resistor ladder.

Abstract: A technique for a nanodevice is provided. The nanodevice includes a fluidic cell, and a membrane dividing the fluidic cell. A nanopore is formed through the membrane, and the nanopore is coated with an organic compound. A first part of the organic compound binds to a surface of the nanopore and a second part of the organic compound is exposed freely inside of the nanopore. The second part of the organic compound is configured to be switched among a first neutral hydrophilic end group, a second negatively charged hydrophilic end group, and a third neutral hydrophobic end group based on a switching mechanism.

Abstract: Metal nanowires, such as silver nanowires coated on a substrate were fused together to form fused metal nanowire networks that have greatly improved conductivity while maintaining good transparency. Materials formed form the fused metal nanowire networks described herein can have a transparency to visible light of at least about 85% and a sheet resistance of no more than about 100 Ohms/square or a transparency to visible light of at least about 90% and a sheet resistance of no more than about 250 Ohms/square. The method of forming such a fused metal nanowire networks are disclosed that involves exposure of metal nanowires to various fusing agents on a short timescale. When formed into a film, materials comprising the metal nanowire network demonstrate low sheet resistance while maintaining desirably high levels of optical transparency, making them suitable for transparent electrode formation.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to compositions of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and methods of manufacture thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides air-free compositions of HOCl. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making HOCl that involve mixing together in water in an air-free environment, a compound that generates a proton (H+) in water and a compound that generates a hypochlorite anion (OCl?) in water to thereby produce air-free hypochlorous acid.

Abstract: Ferrous (II) phosphate (Fe3(PO4)2) powders, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) powders for a Li-ion battery and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The lithium iron phosphate powders are represented by the following formula (II): LiFe(1-a)MaPO4 ??(II) wherein, M, and a are defined in the specification, the lithium iron phosphate powders are composed of plural flake powders, the length of each of the flake powders is 0.1-10 ?m, and a ratio of the length and the thickness of each of the flake powder is in a range from 11 to 400.

Abstract: Present disclosure provides a multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) brick, including a bottom portion starting from a bottom to a height of 100 mm, a middle portion starting from the height of 100 mm to a height of 200 mm; and a top portion starting from the height of 200 mm to a top. A percentage of incoherent grain boundary in the bottom portion is greater than a percentage of incoherent grain boundary in the top portion. Present disclosure also provides a multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafer. The mc-Si wafer includes a percentage of non-? grain boundary from about 60 to about 75 and a percentage of ?3 grain boundary from about 12 to about 25.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to separation of terbium(III,IV) oxide. In various embodiments, present invention provides a method of separating terbium(III,IV) oxide from a composition. The method can include contacting a composition including terbium(III,IV) oxide and one or more other trivalent rare earth oxides with a liquid including acetic acid to form a mixture. The contacting can be effective to dissolve at least some of the one or more other trivalent rare earth oxides into the liquid. The method can include separating undissolved terbium(III,IV) oxide from the mixture, to provide separated terbium(III,IV) oxide.

Abstract: A method for lowering the pressure inside the hood interior of a separator arrangement with a separator with a rotatable drum includes rotating the rotatable drum about a vertical rotation axis. Before processing a product that is to be processed, a liquid is first directed through the drum and the pressure inside the hood interior is lowered, by a device, as a result of rotations of the drum in the manner of a jet pump. After the pressure inside the hood interior has been lowered sufficiently, then the actual processing of the product that is to be processed is performed.

Abstract: A transportable multi-chamber water filtration system useable at construction sites with sources of contaminated water is disclosed. The transportable multi-chamber water filtration system removes sediment and contaminants from contaminated water by combined processes of gravitational settling, filtration and coagulation of sediment by the use of flocculants. The system provides efficient removal of sediment and contaminants from the water around various sized sites.

Abstract: A water treatment system (220) heats raw water, gasifies a portion thereof by an evaporator (34), and condenses the gasified steam at a condensation area (240) to obtain condensed water. The water treatment system (220) includes a heater (32) for heating raw water, a steam conducting part (35, 36) for conducting, to the condensation area (240), steam gasified from the raw water heated by the heater (32), and a pipe (221) for conducting circulating water from the condensation area (240) to the evaporator (34), causing heat exchange between the steam conducted to the condensation area (240) by the steam conducting part (35, 36) and the circulating water, as well as causing heat exchange between the raw water and the circulating water at the evaporator (34).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating potable water in municipal and similar tanks to reduce and remove undesirable disinfectant byproducts such as trihalomethanes from the water by providing a water circulation system to create circulation patterns in the tank water and an air flow system for creating an air flow pattern in the headspace region of the enclosed tank above the water surface. In operation, a portion of the tank water is drawn-up a draft tube from the tank floor to above the water surface and sprayed through a nozzle outwardly about a vertical axis and slightly downwardly toward the surface of remaining tank water. The air flow system creates and directs a high volume of air through the tank above the water surface to volatize undesirable trihalomethanes in the drawn-up water portion to gaseous state to enter the air flow pattern and exit the tank into ambient air.

Abstract: The present invention relates an apparatus for cleaning water, in particular precleaning seawater, including at least one tank for receiving water containing at least one flocculating agent for separating organic and possibly biological constituents contained in the water. The at least one tank includes at least one contact zone K for contacting the water containing the flocculating agent with at least one gas, in particular air, and at least one separation zone S for separating the flocculated organic constituents buoyed up by the gas. At least one gassing unit is arranged in the at least one contact zone K and at least one filtration unit is arranged in the at least one separation zone S. The at least one gas is injected via the at least one gassing unit without using a liquid carrier.

Abstract: A method and a system is provided for inactivation of Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) comprising illuminating a liquid containing IPNV with a lamp emitting a continuous broad band of ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV lamp may be “tuned” to optimize IPNV inactivation. The lamp may be a medium pressure UV lamp that emits UV light having wavelength between 200-245 nm and preferably, between 200-220 nm. The pressure of the lamp may be greater than 1.6 bar, 3 bar and preferably is 7 bar. The lamp may be composed of PS (synthetic quartz).

Abstract: A potable water producing system for disposition at a salt water body and methods of producing potable water are provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration-anchor system. The AWECS forms a floating articulated barge having a desalination system including a reverse osmosis membrane. The filtration-anchor system is submerged in the salt water body and includes a sand filter to filter the adjacent salt water for providing the filtered salt water to the desalination system on the articulated barge. Wave action on the articulated barge provides energy to pump the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis member to produce potable water. The wave action on the articulated barge effects the shaking of the reverse osmosis filter, thereby rendering it self-cleaning. The potable water can be used for various applications, e.g., bottling, replenishing aquifers, ground and/or aquifer remediation, irrigation, etc.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a device for producing sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid for water treatment, the device including: a cylinder for storing salt in solid form, adapted for being fed directly via a pressurized water pipe, and including one or more tubes that form one or more electrolytic chambers; one or more electrolytic cells received in the electrolytic chambers; the tubes of the cylinders being perforated to allow the contacting of the electrolytic cells with the salt-saturated water while preventing the electrolytic cells from being short-circuited by the solid salt. This produces sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid from salt-saturated water in a cylinder, connected directly to the pipe of the water to be treated without the latter being loaded with salt.

Abstract: Provided are a water treatment system and a water treatment process, which are capable of reproducing water containing salts with high water recovery. In the water treatment system (200) and the water treatment process of the present invention, after a calcium scale inhibitor and a silica scale inhibitor are supplied to water to be treated containing Ca ions, SO4 ions, carbonate ions, and silica, and the water to be treated is separated in a second demineralizing section (210) into second concentrated water in which the Ca ions, the SO4 ions, the carbonate ions, and the silica are concentrated and treated water. In a second crystallizing section (220), seed crystals of gypsum are supplied to the second concentrated water, whereby gypsum is crystallized and removed from the second concentrated water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for clarifying water by means treatment of the colloidal structures contained in a liquid and/or a sludge supplied in a continuous flow at a flow rate of QEB=VEB/hour. The flow is sprayed into a chamber (2) under overpressure conditions in relation to atmospheric pressure, said chamber (2) having a volume v<VEB/20, and air (10) being injected simultaneously therein at a flow rate d.

Abstract: A multi-stage floatation dispenser for carrying a ballast, which may be a non-water consumable dispersant and at least one water consumable dispersant wherein the weight of the water consumable dispersant decreases as the water consumable dispersant is consumed with the weight of water consumable dispersant and the non-water consumable coordinated with the flotation capacity of a flotation dispenser to provide for either a two stage or a three stage dispensing mode.

Abstract: A non-dissolvable immersible dispensing puck in the shape of a dissolvable halogen puck when the dissolvable halogen puck is in an undissolved state with the non-dissolvable immersible dispensing puck physically interchangeable with a dissolvable halogen puck when placed in a dispenser for normally holding only a set of halogen pucks to enable a single dispersant dispenser to be converted to a dual dispersant dispenser without changing the structure of the single dispersant dispenser by placing a dispenser within a dispenser wherein only one of the dispensers may be provided with adjustable water ports.

Abstract: An integrated utility system (10) comprising; i) a power supply (12); and ii) a wastewater treatment system (20), wherein waste energy from the power supply (12) is utilized in the wastewater treatment system (20).

Abstract: A glass furnace includes a furnace chamber including a side wall and a bottom wall and containing a pool of glass melt having a melt level. A batch feed hopper is adjacent to the side wall of the furnace chamber to supply batch material under gravity to a bottom of the hopper. A feed opening is in the side wall of the furnace chamber and feeds batch material from the bottom of the hopper to the pool of glass melt below the melt level. A conveyor is proximate the bottom wall of the hopper and feeds the batch material from the bottom of the hopper through the feed opening and into the furnace chamber.

Abstract: An amorphous alloy contains Ni and Nb and has a composition including at least one of: a composition containing Nb with a content in the range of 35.6 atomic % to 75.1 atomic %, Ir with a content in the range of 7.2 atomic % to 52.3 atomic %, and Ni with a content in the range of 4.0 atomic % to 48.5 atomic %; a composition containing Nb with a content in the range of 19.6 atomic % to 80.9 atomic %, Re with a content in the range of 7.4 atomic % to 59.2 atomic %, and Ni with a content in the range of 4.1 atomic % to 56.9 atomic %; and a composition containing Nb with a content in the range of 7.5 atomic % to 52.9 atomic %, W with a content in the range of 16.4 atomic % to 47.0 atomic %, and Ni with a content in the range of 22.0 atomic % to 53.3 atomic %.

Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing glass ribbon comprises edge directors, wherein an outer portion defining a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces. In one example, the first and second pair of surfaces of each edge director includes a glass wettability with a static contact angle within a range of from about 30° to about 60°. In another example, the outer portion comprises a platinum alloy including from about 0.05 weight % tin to about 5 weight % tin. Methods for forming glass include the step of providing the edge director with a desired glass wettability and/or a desired platinum alloy.

Abstract: A printer head for 3D printing of glass and a method of 3D printing of glass is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer head comprises a heating body made of a refractory metal, a through hole arranged in a central part of the heating body for feeding glass through the heating body, a nozzle arranged on the heating body at an outlet of the through hole, and an induction coil arranged around the heating body and to heat the heating body by way of electromagnetic induction if a HF voltage is applied across the induction coil.

Abstract: A method for producing synthetic quartz glass by fusion of SiO2 granulate involves synthesizing amorphous SiO2 primary particles, granulating the amorphous SiO2 primary particles to form an open-pore SiO2 granulate, sintering the open-pore SiO2 granulate by heating in a sintering atmosphere at a sintering temperature and for a sintering period to form a densified SiO2 granulate, and melting the densified SiO2 granulate at a melting temperature to form the synthetic quartz glass. To provide an inexpensive production of low-bubble transparent components of quartz glass despite the use of still open-pore SiO2 granulate, the sintering atmosphere, sintering temperature and sintering duration are adjusted such that the densified SiO2 granulate still comprises open pores but manifests a material-specific infrared transmission T1700 at a wavelength of 1700 nm. This transmission is in the range of 50-95% of the infrared transmission T1700 of quartz glass granules of the same material.